SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 13 (UPI) -- A group of transgendered people sued the state of Illinois this week to change the state's rule on birth certificates.
Illinois currently only changes the gender on birth certificates when someone has had genital reformation surgery. The class-action lawsuit filed Tuesday asks a court to order it be done for those who identify with the gender other than that they were born with, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.
Lauren Grey, one of the plaintiffs, is identified as female on her driver's license. She has had her breasts enlarged as well as surgery to modify her facial features.
"I live as a female, I feel female and everybody treats me that way, but this document doesn't reflect that," Grey said. "I know that's not me, but I can't do anything about it."
The plaintiffs say Illinois apparently changed its policy in 2006 after allowing birth certificate changes more liberally. The named plaintiff is Damon Arnold, head of the state Department of Health.
Grey said that in addition to denying her a part of her identity, the policy has been of practical harm. She and a female business partner were unable to get Women's Business Enterprise certification.
